After a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Wednesday that McDaniels “would jump” at the chance to return to his native Northeast Ohio roots and coach the Browns, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that there has been no such contact even attempted.

The Patriots offensive coordinator was raised in nearby Canton, Ohio and was a star at Canton McKinley before moving onto John Carroll University, where he played with Patriots personnel chief Nick Caserio. McDaniels is reportedly the third choice of new team CEO Joe Banner to take the place of Pat Shurmur. Banner, who is looking at hiring Michael Lombardi as the team’s new GM, reportedly has his sights set on Nick Saban and Chip Kelly.

‘[McDaniels] hasn’t thought about anything but this season all year long,’ a source close to McDaniels told Schefter.

McDaniels returned for his second stint in New England last December when Steve Spagnuolo was fired as head coach of the Rams and McDaniels was permitted to join the Patriots in time for their playoff run.

McDaniels was 11-17 in his first shot at an NFL head coaching job in Denver in 2009-10.